Five things about Sheffield Steelers this weekend

Bob Westerdale, Head of Sport

What to bear in mind when Sheffield Steelers take on old rivals Manchester Storm this weekend.

1: Sheffield Steelers haven't played the Manchester Storm in Sheffield since the 5th October 2002 - that’s 13 years without the ice version of War of the Roses – in fact the Steelers will have played 912 competitive games between fixtures.

How's that for a useless stat?

2: Jeff Legue has scored 99 goals for the Sheffield Steelers at the Sheffield Arena – no player has ever scored the magical 100 EIHL goals in that building – Legue's first goal for the Steelers was scored against a Manchester club (Phoenix) could his 100th be scored against the Storm on Sunday?

3: Manchester born and bred Steelers forward Jason Hewitt plays his 622nd game for the Steelers on Sunday against the Storm – just four games short of the all time Steelers appearance record set by Rocket Ron Shudra of 626 – This Manchester Steeler is heading to the record books as one of Sheffield's all time greats.

And the good thing is he's a Manchester United fan too.

4: Sundays game against Manchester Storm will be the 29th at the Sheffield Arena – the Steelers have won 17 (drawn 2, 9 losses) of those games played – Of the 32 games played in Manchester the Steelers beat the Storm 14 times, drawing 6 and going down on just 12 occasions.

5: A regulation victory for the Steelers would ensure qualification for the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup – with three games still to go.